The pensions and incentives practice at A&L Goodbody LLP stands out for assisting public and private sector clients with the full gamut of contentious and non-contentious pension related matters. Practice head David Main routinely advises on occupational pension schemes and personal pension arrangements, while Keavy Ryan, who leads the incentives practice, is experienced in handling all aspects of share incentive mandates. Chris Comerford and David Francis are key names within the practice, regularly acting for employers, trustees and those operating in the pensions and investment elements of corporate transactions and benefit scheme restructurings. Aoife Malone focuses on the restructuring and winding-up of defined benefit pension schemes, and the pension aspects of M&A.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Very high-level participation by senior staff; Partner very active, hands-on, and always available for consultation. Advice is always well considered and reflects deep knowledge and experience of pension issues and legal precedent.’
- ‘The following stand out; knowledge, experience, articulate and give the trustees a high level of confidence in the advice being imparted. David Main is the hands-on partner dealing with our scheme.’
- ‘The share plans team in A&L Goodbody are first class. They have a deep and broad level of experience and can provide advice on a wide variety of share plan solutions. They are also well known in the industry in Ireland, so it is really easy to have them work with our other third parties as they will have engaged with them previously and have good relationships with many of our other partners.’
- ‘Rosaleen Boyle couldn't be more helpful, and in particular, over the last few months, we have had a few workstreams with the team. The timeliness of responses and ability to turn around our requests efficiently is one of this team's core strengths.’
- ‘Excellent technical skills as well as commercial approach.’
- ‘Chris Comerford and David Francis - excellent technical lawyers - able to drill down to get to the heart of the legal point - but the ability to take a commercial approach when required.’
- ‘The team is consistent over many years, which has helped to build a solid client relationship between all stakeholders. Efficient and thorough are words that spring to mind to describe the services received.’
- ‘David Main - first-rate pension lawyer, providing excellent client service.’
Key clients
- Irish Airline Pilots Pensions and Irish Airlines Pensions DAC
- The Trustees of the Bank of Ireland Staff Pensions Fund
- KPMG
- Heineken Ireland Limited
- Zurich
- Aviva
- Capita
- Tesco
- GE
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Allianz
- CRH plc
- Permanent TSB
- Trustee of AA Ireland Pension Scheme
- Xerox
- SMBC Aviation
- Trustees of the Gulf Ireland Pensions Plan
- Northern Trust
- Sun Life
- Trustee of the Concern Worldwide Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- Kennedy Wilson Europe
- MacKay Shields
- Becton Dickinson
- Upjohn Manufacturing
- Purmo Group
- Chevron
- Acorn
Work highlights
- Advised NatWest on the pensions implications of the sales of Ulster Bank loan books to AIB and PTSB in the context of the withdrawal of Ulster Bank from the Irish market.
- Advised Corebridge Financial (Laya Healthcare’s parent company) on the €650m sale of Laya Healthcare to Axa.
- Advised Bank of Ireland on the employee incentives aspects of its €427m acquisition of Davy Stockbrokers.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
David Main, Keavy Ryan